Messages - thom263

I have to admit my feelings about the seed are higly ambivalent to say the least. But i think anyone who is shooting up at 14 has a very big problem that is only gonna get worse! In my case i think that the seed was the lesser of two evils.I was 16 when i went in,and I was drinking and smoking refer(daily). Dealt a little,hung out alot.Places like 7/11 and Lake Vista, and "missed" around 80+ days of the 10th grade.The most important thing i learned from the seed was that my family was dysfuntional,and my family was part of my problem.They were 100 per cent right on that,and when i got started over, they knew why i'd split from home.They sent me back my OldComers family(for 2 months!).They were very nice people. I still question the methods and excesses of the seed, but the program gave me some insight and got me off the streets. ::

Art + friends used to drive from Ft. Lauderdale to the St. Pete program every month or so.I remember an oldcomer saying the limo was a gift from Gleason, and that Art had a large sailboat that was also donated(I never saw it, but i believe it's probably true.) I think Art was well compensated financialy.Does anyone have any idea how much money he earned from "The Seed"? Is it true Art was already a miilionaire when he started the program? Just Curious. :wink:

I've found from experience that people who weren't in the seed(or a similar program)have a difficult(if not impossible) time "grasping" the signifigance of what it was like to undergo systematic brainwashing on a daily basis. Am I paranoid?

Hi G. The seed is open for visits?I'd like to relate an experience i had.Several years back i found myself in the tyrone area, and when it dawned on me i was only a block or so away from the seed , that old anxious/nervous feeling hit me (from out of nowhere)just like when i was a newcomer, but were talking 20 yrs later. Can anyone relate? :nworthy:

Robin? About 4'11"?,black hair?,slight sway back?I was in the st pete program up till it closed, and we had a girl named "Robin" on junior staff. Very decent person and seemed a little more "grown up" than the most of the staff.I remember the first time i really got come down on hard in group.It was a 3 hour + comedown rap, and i was the guest of honor! Robin was the only staff member who didn't join in the feeding frenzy. Darlene, Lbby, and John U left the group and Robin was left in charge. As soon as they left Robin told me i could sit down. I'll never forget her kindness.BTW i was come down on because my hair had gotten too long(my hair covered the top of my ears)! Obviously i was full of shit!

Art borrowed quite freely from A.A.It wasn't until i got sober through AA that i realized just how much Art had lifted A.A.Major differences are that A.A. doesn't place anyone on a pedestal ,and if you don't like what you hear just walk out.AA was a positive experience for me, but i sure can't say that about the seed.

In anwser to Antigen,Almost positive St Pete closed October of 75. I was an oldcommer,and i took a sat night meeting off.I received a phone call stating the program had closed, and i was "graduated". I was so relieved!! I was told that Art simply showed up at the meeting with his entourage and stated st pete was shutting down.

I believe in another post you mentioned the name Collin.I can't seem to locate the original post.The name was so familiar. Was he a little older, nice guy? He cut my hair- i believe it was at your house(around 65th ave south or so)Believe he had a friend(Harold R.)who had been in the program goin on 5+ years and still hadn't graduated?Any idea how they're doing? By the way,if u have no idea what i'm talking about please forgive me.Damaged Goods in Tampa

I remember someone by that name.Could be her. The Suzie i remember had dark hair, very attractive, southern accent,and originaly from Tenn or Kentucky? By the time i was in the program Libby was in charge, but Suzie would drop by from time to time. You think these former staff are still hangin out with Art? Still sober? Functional?

Yes there are lots of Seed type programs out there. I was in the seed for 10 months,and a few years later one of my younger sisters was in Straight Inc.These "programs" are all similar in that they all use intensive and invasive behavior modification techniques(aka brainwashing).I believe in another post u said u were in the program? So your familiar with the methods used.They go by diff names + are all over the country, but the common denominator is CONTROL. If your interested,there is alot of info.Lots of books.Start w/ synanon,hare krishna,children of god,peoples temple,.....These are extremes,but many similarities.Try a search(online)for cults, mind control,and info on the Korean War/American pow's+ brainwashing.

Never heard about Art gettin busted, but i know his programs in St.Pete+FtLauderdale were being audited when St Pete shut down.Art also had a way of pissin people off(esp St Pete Times).But busted for coke?Thats a new one